---
title: "Extended Fall Grazing: Making the Most of Your Forage"
description: Extended grazing offers numerous benefits, including reduced feed costs and labour requirements compared to traditional yard feeding. There are several approaches to extending the grazing season, including stockpiled pasture, swath grazing, bale grazing, corn grazing and more. Each offers unique…
url: "https://brettyoung.ca/agricultural-seed-crop-inputs-canada-portal/knowledge-hub/forages-cornmedia/extended-fall-grazing-making-the-most-of-your-forage/"
updated: "2026-10-20"
category: "Forages & Corn"
tags:
  - Cattle
  - cover crop
  - Forage
  - Grazing
  - Nitrogen
---

# Extended Fall Grazing: Making the Most of Your Forage

Extended grazing offers numerous benefits, including reduced feed costs and labour requirements compared to traditional yard feeding. There are several approaches to extending the grazing season, including stockpiled pasture, swath grazing, bale grazing, corn grazing and more. Each offers unique benefits and challenges, making it important to choose an approach that best fits your operation.

When evaluating extended grazing options, consider your feeding goals, soil fertility, weather conditions and available resources to determine the best fit for your operation.

Annual forages, sometimes referred to as cover crops, are a popular option for extending the grazing season. Whether choosing a single-species crop or a multi-species blend, focus on selecting complementary species that align with your feeding objectives, growing conditions and management capabilities.

Once it's time to start grazing, keep these important management considerations in mind:

#### **Feed Testing**

Testing forage quality is essential to ensure livestock receive adequate energy, protein and minerals. Feed test results can help identify nutritional deficiencies and determine whether additional supplementation is required to maintain animal health and performance.

#### **Nitrate Toxicity**

Nitrate accumulation can pose a serious risk to grazing livestock, particularly in annual forages grown under high fertility or stressful growing conditions. Test forage for nitrate levels before grazing, especially following drought, frost or other stress events. Nitrate concentrations above 0.5% of dry matter may require additional management, depending on how the laboratory reports nitrate levels and the overall ration. Consult a livestock nutritionist to assess potential risks and determine safe feeding strategies.

#### **Fencin**g

Portable electric fencing is an effective tool for managing forage utilization and minimizing waste. Strip grazing, which provides livestock access to only a few days' worth of feed at a time, can improve grazing efficiency and help stretch available forage supplies.

#### **Water**

Reliable access to clean water is essential. Plan ahead, as water sources used during the summer may become unavailable or unsuitable once freezing temperatures arrive.

Regardless of the approach you choose, flexibility is key to successful extended grazing. Weather conditions throughout both the growing and grazing seasons can significantly influence forage yields, feed quality and accessibility. Having a backup feeding plan will help ensure you're prepared when conditions change.

#### **Looking to extend your grazing season?**

BrettYoung offers a range of forage options to help you make the most of your acres. Contact your[local BrettYoung Regional Account Manager (RAM)](https://brettyoung.ca/agricultural-seed-crop-inputs-canada-portal/contacts/)to discuss the best options for your operation.